Witness appeal after series of burglaries

HOMEOWNERS are being urged to be on their guard following a spate of burglaries in the Pershore area over the last few weeks.

The most recent took place on Monday evening (December 10) when two houses in Poplar Avenue in Wyre Piddle were targeted between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

Burglars entered one home through an unsecured garden gate before they forced open the home's conservatory doors and stole cash.

A fence panel was then broken which gave the crooks entry to the neighbouring house's garden. They then forced open the patio door and searched the home but it is not clear yet what was stolen.

Other offences to have taken place in and around the area include a burglary at a home on Croome Close in Drakes Broughton on Monday, November 5 when cash and a large amount of jewellery were stolen.

In the same village, the patio doors of a home in Walcot Lane were forced open before a 40 inch Samsung TV was stolen between 8.30am and 7pm on Wednesday, November 28.

On the same date in Pershore, cash was stolen at a home in Loughmill Road and another break-in occurred at a home in Bedford Close.

And a week later, jewellery and cash were stolen from a house in Sheldon Close between 6pm on Wednesday, December 5 and 5.30pm the next day (Thursday, December 6).

Police believe the seven break-ins are connected and are urging witnesses to come forward with information.

Det Insp Richard Rees of Worcester CID's Proactive Team, said: "Seven burglaries in a quiet area such as Pershore in recent weeks is a concern and this series is our main focus at the moment.

"I would like to appeal to residents for their help in stopping the burglaries. Some of the evidence we have suggests that more than one person is involved in these crimes, so I would like to ask residents to be on the look out for anyone behaving suspiciously or any suspicious vehicles in the area.

"If you do see anything out of the ordinary or had any unusual callers, particular cold callers, at your home, please let us know.

"We are now in one of the busiest periods of the year for burglary when, traditionally across the country, there is a rise in the number of homes broken into because of the long, dark evenings.

"Many of the offences in this series have occurred in the evening when homeowners left their homes unoccupied, whether it was to go shopping, to work or attend an appointment.

"It is important for residents to do what they can to protect their properties - most burglaries are carried out by opportunistic thieves, so taking some basic measures will deter many."

Anyone with information should contact the police by calling the non-emergency number 101.